Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Pipe collapse sends 2,000 gallons of sewage into Bull Creek

Water Works fixes pipe; sewage quickly diluted

A sewer pipe collapsed Thursday, sending almost 2,000 gallons of sewage into Bull Creek off Floyd Road, Columbus Water Works officials said.

Jim Patterson, vice president of communications for the Water Works, said 1,907 gallons of sewage spilled from the line after heavy rains washed out the creek bed holding a 10-inch service line. The line was located behind Bull Creek Apartments at 17 Creek Way.

“We caught it pretty quick,” Patterson said. “It was not a heavily loaded line.”

Patterson said the section of the collapsed pipe was replaced and flow was returned to the sewer system.

There was no report of damage to the environment in the area. The amount of sewage was quickly diluted downstream.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division was notified of the spill, Patterson said. A program manager for state couldn’t be reached for comment late Thursday.